ST. JOHN’S, NL – Restaurants Canada applauded the provincial government’s announcement this week that future minimum wage increases in Newfoundland and Labrador will be linked to the consumer price index.

On Tuesday, the Newfoundland and Labrador government announced the minimum wage will go up 15 cents an hour, to $11.15, effective April 1 of this year, marking the third time the rate has increased in the past year.

The indexing was also announced at the same time.

Restaurants Canada, which represents more than 30,000 member, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other foodservice providers, acknowledged it advocated for the change.

“Restaurant operators are hard pressed to deal with three minimum wage increases in one year and a sluggish economy,” Luc Erjavec, Restaurants Canada’s vice president for Atlantic Canada, said in a news release.

Erjavec said tying wage increases to the consumer price index will create transparency and predictability that will allow the industry to protect and grow job opportunities.

“Restaurants provide more first-time jobs than any other industry in Canada, and are a stepping stone to the broader labour force including thousands of opportunities for youth in foodservice in Newfoundland and Labrador."